Volkswagen
Kubelwagen VW

Volkswagen made approximately 52,000 Kubelwagens
for the German Army in the 1930s and during World War II. The Kubelwagen is rear
engined and rear wheel drive - 4x2 only - based on the famous Volkswagen people's
car or "VW Beetle". As such its offroad performance was no match for
the four wheel drive Jeep MB.

This Volkswagen Kubelwagen was at the Museum
of Army Transport Beverley.

8/1997, Jeff Tickner writes: Actually a very few 4WD
Kubelwagen were produced from 1944-45. They were 4WD in first gear only. They
were based on the design of the Schwimwagen, the amphibious version of the Kublewagen.
It has a prop that swings down and connects directly to the crank via a square-drive
socket. The Schwimwagen was made 4WD in first gear so you could get out of the
water. VW also made the Komanderwagen, which was sort of a jacked-up VW Beetle,
also 4WD in first gear in very limited quantities. Hot VWs Magazine has covered
these vehicles, including a collection in Norway that consists of one of each
of these rare vehicles (although the Kubelwagen is not 4WD).